Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Porto vs Sofia vs Valencia

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 2,900,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 237,559 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Low Moderate Moderate Very High High Moderate
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November May - September April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $659 $2498 $1867 $1759 $1289 $1976
Rent $844 $354 $1174 $778 $717 $567 $869
Groceries $98 $44 $175 $281 $148 $10 $146
Dining out $121 $81 $313 $182 $280 $227 $292
Cafe $25 $18 $51 $49 $45 $27 $42
Coworking space $95 $49 $196 $159 $96 $140 $152
Mobile internet $11 $3 $10 $25 $21 $10 $16
Public transportation $9 $6 $78 $11 $95 $30 $38
Taxis $9 $6 $44 $9 $25 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $2 $49 $24 $10 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $54 $81 $45 $18 $73
Museums and sights $4 $15 $20 $20 $24 $12 $44
Nightlife $23 $22 $82 $64 $66 $82 $66
Gym $14 $9 $44 $69 $56 $23 $34
Yoga $19 $23 $142 $65 $82 $62 $87
Massage $10 $15 $64 $51 $48 $29 $45
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow